Method for improving &#34;Striking&#34; motion and device for teaching method

ABSTRACT

Apparatus of preferred embodiments of my invention is a training device aimed at developing correct and efficient movement of the body during striking or throwing action. It could be applied to any activity in which striking or throwing motion is required—tennis, golf, baseball, boxing etc. 
     The training device of my invention is designed to compel the user to perform and repeat the correct lower body movement in isolation. The movement produced during this exercise is the cornerstone of all efficient throwing or striking actions. Sufficiently strengthened and correctly applied, this movement provides all the necessary force to propel the throwing arm or striking implements such as a tennis racquet, a golf club or a baseball bat. 
     The method of my invention is directed to objectives similar to those of the apparatus, but the apparatus and method are mutually independent.

This application is based upon and claims priority benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 61/688,644, filed on May 18, 2012.

Apparatus of preferred embodiments of my invention is a training device aimed at developing correct and efficient movement of the body during striking action. It could be applied to any sports activity where striking motion is required—tennis, golf, baseball, boxing etc. The method of my invention is directed to objectives similar to those of the apparatus, but as will be seen the apparatus and method very emphatically are mutually independent.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIONS

FIG. 1 a is an image of an Ancient Egyptian crest. The flail is depicted alongside the “crook” as symbols of office for the crowned Egyptian Pharaoh;

FIG. 1 b is a photograph of a thrashing flail;

FIG. 1 c is an old engraving depicting farmers using thrashing flails;

FIG. 2 a is an anatomical drawing: the front view of the musculature of the human thigh/hip region;

FIG. 2 b is an anatomical drawing: the back view of the musculature of the thigh/hip region;

FIG. 3 a is a photograph of a wooden mannequin constructed specifically to demonstrate the mechanical principles and the effects of the hip movement on the rest of the body;

FIG. 3 b is a sequence of still frames taken from video clip showing the wooden mannequin in action, hitting a ball; the swing is powered by one spring only which moves the hip region;

FIG. 4 is a picture of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of my invention with indications of the key components;

FIG. 5 a is a sequence of still frames taken from a video clip showing the exercise and correct usage of the apparatus (front view);

FIG. 5 b is a sequence of still frames taken from a video clip showing the exercise and correct usage of the apparatus (side view);

FIG. 5 c is a sequence of still frames taken form a video clip showing the exercise and correct usage of the apparatus (back view);

FIG. 6 a is a photograph of a prototype of one of the preferred embodiments of the apparatus (view 1);

FIG. 6 b is another photograph of the FIG. 6 a prototype (view 2);

FIG. 6 c is another photograph of the FIG. 6 a prototype (view 3);

FIG. 7 a is a photograph of a prototype of another of the preferred embodiments of the apparatus (view 1);

FIG. 7 b is another photograph of the FIG. 7 a prototype (view 2)

BACKGROUND

By looking at an athlete when he or she is going through a striking or throwing motion we can see that it is a very complex series of events. A good striking or throwing motion engages pretty much all the parts of the human body and requires interaction between them, coordination and synchronization of all of their individual movements. One of the main goals a striking motion comes down to imparting maximum directed velocity to a striking implement like a club, a racquet, a bat, a boxing glove or an object like a ball, a javelin, etc. For the moment we are not addressing other tasks like aiming and hitting a target; we will focus and analyze the task of generating this velocity and how it can be achieved.

Imparting velocity to an object is one of the most basic and archaic human activities, but it is by no means an inborn or universal skill. Some throw a ball very well and some do not. Some hit a golf ball or a tennis ball very well, but most of the people do not. A good throw or a “clean” hit is the result of correct striking or throwing motion. A good striking motion looks fluid, uninterrupted, cascading. It has a rhythm and a feel like a row of falling dominos. A good striking motion is not about good form only, but it has to be productive and deliver good results. It also has to be created within all the limitations imposed upon us by construction of a human body. It has to extract maximum power from efficient use of the right parts of the body at the right time for the right task.

These notions and skills are taught and passed on. One has to learn how to utilize all of his/her body regions—legs, hips, torso, shoulders, arms, wrists—in such a way that the movements of all these parts coalesce into a unified powerful action. First the motion in its totality has to be analyzed and understood. The relationships among the body parts, their interactions and the order of their engagement during the strike have to be understood. Then this understanding is taught to a user.

The complexity of this movement is responsible for spawning of numerous explanations, insights, theories and teaching methods of how to do it correctly. Many of these instructions are convoluted, confusing and misleading at best.

Almost all the theories and teaching methods acknowledge some role of “hip movement” during striking motion, but none of them seem to acknowledge the true importance and prominence of that role.

The role the hips/thighs region plays in production of a stroke, is described vaguely without due emphasis. It is usually mentioned on the list of “things to do”, but way down at #5 or #6, relegated to a role of “following” the movement of arms and shoulders which seem to do the actual hitting or throwing of the ball. These insights and teachings tend to focus more on things like angle of the torso's axis to the horizon or some other part of the body, the movement of the wrists throughout the stroke, the angle of your head, or some other obscure or fantastical relationships and markers, too many to mention (a person involved in athletic activities will be well aware of a number of them) and if they talk about engaging the hips/thighs they are not clear at all on what it means or how one would go about doing it.

These kinds of insights are flawed and misleading. They are rooted in erroneous analysis and interpretations, or in a pure ignorance of basic mechanical principles involved. They misinterpret the roles and the importance each part of the body plays during the stroke production. They distort or simply disregard the role of the hips/thighs region in all of this process.

Method

To approach the task of understanding and teaching the correct striking movement, first of all we need to analyze and take stock of all the things that we are dealing with, all our assets and liabilities, so to speak. We will start by looking at and understanding the construction of the human body in light of stroke production. We will limit ourselves, of course, to the areas directly related to the striking movement, which will be the structure and geometry of the body, and its musculature. Let us figure out, how this wonderful and versatile structure can be best used for the task at hand—propelling an object efficiently, with maximum velocity.

Without a doubt, the human body with all its parts, joints, levers and control points is an extremely versatile structure, adaptable to numerous tasks, a “universal tool”, so to speak. Since we are interested only in one specific application of this marvelous machine, namely striking, it is imperative to extract from all its various capabilities only those which are applicable to striking action. It is just as important to limit or exclude the movements that are not required, so that they do not interfere with the execution of our primary task.

As a guide in this “editing” process, it is helpful to adopt some kind of existing mechanical model, with a proven record of achieving the exact thing that we are after, and then try to replicate its principles and mimic its actions using our body's construction to achieve similar results. Working principles of this model and its actions should be within the range of our body's own capabilities, of course. For example a rifle propelling a bullet at a great speed would not be the right model for imitation. It relies on principles which are not in our “tool box”.

A most suitable model for imitation, I have found, would be a thrashing flail or a nunchaku. It is a very old, venerable and proven mechanical structure, aimed at exactly what we have set out to achieve—efficiently, and with great velocity propelling part of its structure and striking a target with it (see FIG. 1 a).

It consists of two sticks linked together with a rope or a chain link. One stick is longer and is held by the operator of this device (see FIG. 1 b). The other stick is shorter and lighter. Moving the longer stick in an appropriate manner, causes the shorter stick to swing at great speed hitting a pile of harvested plants to shake off the seeds. Movements of the longer stick, which is in the hands of the operator, are rather small and concise (see FIG. 1 c). Movements of the smaller stick, on the other hand, become very “Big”, swift and energetic. We need to note here that the movement of the smaller stick (fast and aggressive), is a product and direct result of the movement of the longer stick (small and concise).

The principle behind this amazing transformation is simple, yet marvelous. It is the principle of transferring momentum of a more massive body, to a less massive body through a link. This interaction between two bodies and the results it produces are, naturally, governed by laws of physics and are expressed here.

P=mv

P—is momentum m—is mass v—is velocity

During this transference, because of the difference in masses of two bodies, the velocity of the less massive body will be increased, in proportion to the ratio of masses of two bodies. This principle of “converting” momentum of one body into velocity of another body is perfectly suited to human construction and anatomy. The human body has plenty of “assets” and suitable parts, so these relationships between them can be easily arranged and put to use in pursuit of our goal.

Also a very important benefit, which should not be overlooked, is the efficiency with which this physical principle allows this arrangement to operate. The person who had to thrash the grain using this device (see FIG. 1 c) had to do it for long periods of time. He or she had to operate at maximum efficiency and expend as little energy as possible. He or she had to produce only short, concise movements with the mass of his or her body, which in turn, were transformed into swift, fast, aggressive actions of a shorter lighter stick, needed to do the job. To achieve the same results with just a straight stick in hand is simply impossible.

Now I would like to “subdivide” the human body into segments and isolate a structure within it, which will allow us to recreate the workings of the flailing sticks model and put the principles behind it to use.

We need a massive portion capable of generating momentum, a link or a hinge and a lighter member, which will be propelled. Sure enough, all of it can be easily found in the human body perfectly arranged for the task. The hips and torso will serve as the “massive portion”, the shoulder joint is our link/hinge, and the arm is the “light portion”. Incidentally the arm, with the help of the hand can accommodate a striking implement like a racquet, club, bat etc. One could not ask for a better arrangement. All we have to do now is, using these parts; learn to function like our mechanical model.

From the point of view of mechanics the hips/thighs region is without a doubt the most impressive, complex and powerful mechanical substructure of the human body. Of all our assets, we definitely have to pay close attention to this one. Even a cursory look at anatomical drawings of thighs and pelvis will reveal a power “hub” of great complexity (see FIG. 2 a, FIG. 2 b); it looks like a “Grand Central Station” of the body. One can see the great number of muscles radiating from the pelvic bones, and most of them are the longest, the most massive and powerful muscles of the human body. The various points of attachment and the angles at which the muscles are attached to the pelvis create leverages that in turn form a very maneuverable structure. All these power and control capabilities come together and form a hub which is coincidentally placed right in the geometric center of human body. If anything has to be controlled, it is best done from the “center”. Common sense tells you that this power “hub” is here, for a good reason; it must play a primary role in most if not all physical actions. It's too complex, too potent a structure to be reduced to some secondary role or menial task like “following the motion of arms and shoulders . . . ”.

It is no surprise that, during the correct striking movement, the hips/thighs region is actively involved and is at the center of all the actions. It initiates, powers and controls the movements of all other parts of the body—just like a grain thrasher initiates, powers and controls the movement of the light stick of the flail.

If you look closely at slow motion footage of some athletes with good striking motion, such as Arnold Palmer for example, you will see the tremendous work the hips/thighs are doing. The thrust that is generated is being transmitted naturally from one part to the other, from hips to torso, from torso to shoulders, from shoulders to arms, from arms to wrists. This transmission happens automatically without any additional input from anywhere, due to construction of the human body the layout of its parts. Any attempt to boost or help this process along, will only disrupt this smooth transition, throw it in disarray, and ultimately will result in “Bad” and ineffective striking motion. One has to learn to create this thrust and then to stay out of the way of its natural progression, not interjecting any arm movements, wrist actions, angles of different sorts and follow-through.

This phenomenon, of automatic transference of momentum down the line, can be clearly demonstrated with the help of a model (see FIG. 3 a) which, in its construction, mimics the human body and the relationships of its parts. This model of a human body produces a golf swing movement and strikes a ball. This complex movement is initiated and powered by the “hip” portion of the model, which has a single spring located inside. All this spring does is force the hip portion to swivel. All other parts of the body move as a result of this hip thrust and nothing else (see FIG. 3 b).

The range of movements of the mannequin's parts is well within human abilities. All joints are loose and free to move independently of each other. These parts are not powered individually. All of them are brought into action by the hip area only.

You can see how the movement of the hips is being naturally transferred through all the parts of the structure and results in a very clean, technically correct golf swing.

Movements of individual parts of the body—torso, shoulders, arms, wrists—and eventually the club are being synchronized automatically due to the geometry and make-up of the human body. They are brought together to form a cohesive, flowing and effective striking motion.

That is how the striking movement should be performed.

This approach to stroke production is beneficial on a number of levels:

-   1. First it is perfectly suited to the structure of the human body     and hierarchical relationships of its parts. This approach works     with the body's natural capabilities and tendencies, not against     them. It utilizes the right body parts for the right task in the     most efficient manner possible. -   2. Second. The whole striking movement becomes the product of the     momentum generated by a single source—the hip/thigh region. It is no     longer a sum total of different body parts moving independently of     each other, powered by different muscle groups, synchronized and     transformed into a cohesive, flowing motion. As it was described     previously, the momentum that is generated by the hip/thigh region     is naturally transferred, as a chain reaction, to torso and then to     shoulders, then to arms, wrists and the club. This approach greatly     simplifies the task of producing a strike. Instead of being     preoccupied with putting all the different elements together, one     has to be mindful of one thing only, the momentum-generating source,     namely hip action, and nothing else. It is necessary to generate the     right amount of momentum and direct it correctly for it to be     effective; that comes with practice. -   3. Thirdly the task of synchronizing the movement of different parts     of the body disappears. As we have seen in the model, it happens     automatically. One has to learn not to interfere with the momentum     that the hip/thigh region produces, but allow it to be freely     transferred—to flow through, so to speak.     All these principles relate and should be applied to any activity     involving striking or throwing movement e.g. tennis, golf, baseball,     boxing etc.

Apparatus

Apparatus of preferred embodiments of my invention is designed to bring all the principles that were laid out above to the forefront and is aimed at achieving a number of things:

-   1. it introduces a person to the concept of structural relationships     of a thrashing flail and the capabilities of this construction, -   2. with a few verbal explanations it effectively lets him/her     experience these principles at work directly with person's body, -   3. it compels the person to generate correct momentum with his or     her hip/thigh region, necessary for achieving the “flailing” effect, -   4. it isolates and exercises the muscle groups responsible for     generating the correct momentum and, -   5. it develops the correct timing sense needed to produce the     flailing effect.

The apparatus is made up of a belt and two members linked with a hinge or a hinge-like structure. Two members are also tethered with a spring or a rubber band. One of the members (for future reference I will call it the “waist member”) is securely connected to the belt. The belt in turn will go around and attach to the waist of a person who is using the apparatus. The second member (for future reference I will call it the “swinging member”) is connected to the waist member with a hinge or a hinge-like structure which will allow the swinging member to swing freely. This movement in both directions will be limited by two stops (see FIG. 4).

The term “power flail” is not meant to suggest that the flail of my invention is operated from and externally applied “power” source such as electricity or petrochemical material. To the contrary, my flail most typically is energized by forces from the human body—combined actions of legs and hips.

Considered as apparatus, a power flail according to my invention is an athletic appliance that helps train the user to create, ultimately, very sharply delineated upper-body movements, using hip/leg forces exclusively. The flail itself converts the lower-body forces into propulsion of the swinging member of the flail.

Considered as a method or process, my invention enables a user—after training to perform the whipping/snapping operation by skill and habit alone—to internalize the principle of “kinetic chain” and apply this principle to the movements of their own body without power flail.

Usage

A user puts the belt around his/her waist with the waist member in front. The belt has to be tightened so that the waist member rests against iliac crests of the user's pelvis. The goal here is to create a tight bond between the waist member and pelvis of the user, so that the waist member is under direct and total control by pelvic movements. They have to “become one”, so to speak. The swinging member is initially positioned at some angle to the waist member. This starting position is maintained by a spring or rubber band which interconnects the two members. The angle between the two members at this starting position is determined by one of the stops, and the spring forces the swinging member against it. The objective of exercise with this apparatus is for the user to learn how to propel the waist member by generating momentum with his/her hip movement—an ability that the user can then transfer to refining virtually any other striking motion. This hip movement has to have a specific amount of force and be directed so that it will be transferred from the hips to the waist member and through the hinge to the swinging member and make the swinging member move or swing. The swinging member has to move swiftly, without hesitation, with a purpose—a good striking motion, so to speak. It usually takes a few tries to achieve this “right motion”, but when it happens and the user begins to understand the ability of hip motion to control the swinging member's movement that is when the exercise begins (see FIGS. 5 a through 5 c)

The user has to produce a good striking motion with the swinging member time after time. A target can be placed at the right height and the user can strike the target with the tip of the swinging member. Very quickly this becomes a hard workout because the movement that is required is not benign, but has to be swift, aggressive and explosive. The group of muscles engaged in production of this kind of movement is massive and demands a lot of energy. When these muscles get tired, it becomes increasingly harder to swing the swinging member correctly. The movement of the swinging member becomes erratic. At this point the user has to stop or redouble his or her efforts of maintaining the correct hip movement. Through the action of the swinging member this device creates an environment where, an incorrect hip movement becomes immediately obvious to the user. This exercise isolates and strengthens the group of muscles responsible for the hip movement, which is the foundation of any striking motion.

The sense of the rhythm and timing of the movement is crucial; without it the striking action is not happening. The apparatus simply by virtue of the function inherent in its novel structure compels the user to maintain focus and be constantly aware of what hips are doing and their relationship to the swinging member.

This device is designed for a specific task which is to focus the user's attention exclusively on the hip/thigh region, on its actions and capabilities. This device forces the user to experience first hand the effect his or her hip/thigh movement can have on the swinging member of the apparatus and on the other parts the human body. By flipping the swinging member around using nothing but his or her hips, the user understands the mechanics and construction of the striking/throwing motion. The user understands the capabilities of the hip movement, learns how to control it for the desired effect. Through regular use of this device the user will gain a new insight, it will transform hip movement from some vague notion into a real, tangible source of power for the task of striking or throwing.

This device is not aimed at attaining a correct form of a particular movement required by any specific activity e.g. tennis, golf, baseball, boxing. All of these forms of movement look different from each other and require coaching and development. The device of my invention addresses the foundation and the core of all of these forms—the movement of the hip/thigh region and generating momentum that is needed. It teaches the correct movement of the hips, not the arms or shoulders. The arms, shoulders and wrists will be forced to move correctly by the momentum created by the correct movement of the hips. After perfecting that motional principle, the user of course should go on to learn how to ADAPT and APPLY what has been perfected, for ideal practice of the specific striking motion for the sport or sports of interest.

While performing exercise with this device the user will be compelled to focus on the ability of the hip movement to produce and control the movement of another body, namely the swinging member. The user feels how the thrust generated by his/her hip movement is transferred through the hinge to the swinging member. Thus, compact hip movement is capable of creating a very swift action in the swinging member. Analogously, with some adjustments, the user develops understanding and acquires the ability to propel parts of the body—his/her torso, shoulders, arms—which will result in correct motion and effective striking.

The device of my invention and the type of exercise it produces are completely different from all other devices on the market, and the exercise they produce that are aimed at developing or improving a striking movement. The devices on the market fall into two categories: resistance devices and weighted devices. Resistance devices employ springs or rubber bands which work against the movement created by the user. The weighted devices attach weights to different parts of the body, forcing the user to exert more force during the movement, to overcome the added weight. These devices, while making muscles work harder, in no way compel the user to do the movement correctly. They do not aid in developing the sense of the “right” timing.

Most importantly they create a “distorted” and “false” reality. Muscle memory and reflexes are important parts of any sports activity. Training environment should closely resemble performing environment. The way these devices work is counterproductive for development of striking movement.

The resistance of a rubber band or a spring increases as the movement of the user progresses and the band or spring is stretching. More force is required at the end of the movement than at the beginning. The user is forced to go from easy to hard. That is the complete opposite of what is needed and what is happening during the actual striking movement. The very start of the striking movement is the hardest point in the motion. The beginning requires the greatest output of energy, a burst, an explosion, in order to overcome inertia of the body parts. As the movement continues, the force that is needed to maintain it, or increase it, diminishes greatly. You go from hard to easy. You are having a “follow-through”, a “wind down”.

My device teaches precisely this kind of dynamic. It forces the user to operate within the “true” requirements of striking movement; it develops explosiveness and timing needed to overcome the inertia.

Construction

The construction and materials of the apparatus can vary a great deal. The embodiments presented here are basically the same; the differences are mainly cosmetic. This device can be made in hundreds of ways and they will all work, as long as the core principles of its function are preserved. A couple of two-by-fours, connected with a door hinge and a rope instead of a belt—could work as well. Here are some examples of variations which can be incorporated into the design:

-   1. the lengthening or shortening of the members will produce     different timing sensations and be aimed at training for a specific     activity like tennis, or golf or boxing, etc, -   2. increasing or decreasing the resistance of the spring or the     rubber band. Increased resistance of the spring or rubber band would     require a greater effort to overcome this resistance and swing the     swinging member around. The hip movement has to be timed precisely     and be much more explosive. This would be suited for an advanced     user who would be working on strengthening the muscle group, honing     the reflexes and developing stamina. On the other hand, decreased     strength of the spring or rubber band creates a much more forgiving     environment. Swinging the swinging member around becomes much     easier. This would be suited for a beginner who is focused on     developing the necessary sense of timing and understanding the     mechanical effect his or her hip movements are capable of. Changing     the resistance can be achieved by adding more bands or springs to     the existing one or replacing it with a stronger one. A set of     springs or rubber bands can be included with the device. -   3. adding small weights (2 or 3 oz) to the tip of the swinging     member. The effect will be similar to decreasing the strength of the     rubber band: it will make swinging the swinging member easier.     Taking the weight off or moving it closer to the hinge (making the     leverage shorter) will increase the difficulty analogously to     increasing the strength of the rubber band. -   4. instead of a rubber band or a spring, shown in the embodiments, a     coil spring can be fitted into the hinge or a hinge-like structure,     which will provide required resistance and return the swinging     member to the starting position. A dial knob can be designed to     increase the resistance of the coil spring. -   5. changing the angle between the members at the starting position,     by adjusting the stop locations, will require specific types of     movement in order to bring the hinged member around; this can be     aimed at requirements of a specific activity. -   6. materials that it is made of can be hard or soft, can be plastic,     rubber, wood, metal etc. -   7. the hinge can take many different forms such as just a rope or     chain link.     A rubber band or a spring in this case does not serve the same     purpose as in resistance based exercise equipment. A rubber band or     a spring increases the inertia of the hinged member and demands     greater effort to overcome it. The weights on the tip of the hinged     member will serve the same purpose.     The foregoing disclosure is intended to be merely exemplary, not     limiting. 

1. An athletic appliance that trains a user to produce a very specific lower-body movement generated by legs or hips or both, said movement resulting in sharply defined upper-body movement for throwing or striking, said appliance comprising: a belt which goes around a user's hips with an incorporated means for attaching a mechanical structure; and a mechanical structure comprising two or more members linked together by means of a hinge, or a hinge-like system, in a chain-like configuration.
 2. The athletic appliance of claim 1 wherein one of the members of the mechanical structure is secured to the belt by said means of attaching.
 3. The athletic appliance of claim 1 wherein the members of the mechanical structure move in relation to each other in a single plane and within a limited range.
 4. The athletic appliance of claim 1 wherein the movement of the of the mechanical structure's members in relation to each other is achieved by movement of the user's hips or legs or both.
 5. A method that trains a user to produce sharply delineated upper body movement for the purpose of throwing or striking by generating very specific lower body movement with legs or hips or both and allowing kinetic transfer of its energy to the upper body in a whipping or flailing manner. 